Peter Scholes

Peter Scholes is a distinguished New Zealand composer, conductor, and clarinetist born in 1957 in Auckland. He is well-known for his versatile musical career that spans classical and contemporary music, including film scores, orchestral arrangements, and unique projects blending traditional orchestras with diverse elements like Cook Island drummers. He founded the Auckland Chamber Orchestra in 1999 and continues as its Musical Director. Scholes has conducted all professional New Zealand orchestras, the London Philharmonic, London Symphony, and Prague Symphony orchestras. His work includes notable film scores such as "Heavenly Creatures," "The Tattooist," and "Desperate Remedies," as well as orchestral arrangements of iconic rock albums like Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" released on DECCA in 2016.

As a composer, Scholes has had commissions from prestigious organizations like the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and his composition "Islands II" represented New Zealand at the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers in 1993. Beyond composition and conducting, he has been active as a clarinetist, holding principal clarinet positions and teaching at university levels. His approach often includes innovative orchestration, mixing synthetic and real sounds to create distinctive sonic experiences. Scholes' breadth of work demonstrates a commitment to both New Zealand's musical heritage and international classical and crossover projects.

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